Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing personal social care that is free at the point of need for everyone over the age of 65.

As people live longer than ever before, sometimes with complex care needs, we need to ensure the social care system is sustainable in the longer term. The Government has committed to publishing a Green Paper setting out its proposals for reform and will bring forward ideas for including an element of risk pooling in the system, which will help to protect people from the highest costs. As part of this, the Department will be considering a wide range of available options.

This Government is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to the care and support they need, but we are clear that there should continue to be a principle of shared responsibility, and that people should continue to expect to contribute to their care as part of preparing for later life.

The Green Paper remains a priority for this Government and we will be publishing it at the earliest opportunity.